Manchester-based charity Action for Humanity has responded to the earthquake which devastated Turkey and Syria early this morning.
The organisation, which is the parent charity of Syria Relief, has an office in the disaster’s epicentre of Gaziantep and is deploying an emergency response to help those affected.
Othman Moqbel, the Chief Executive of Action For Humanity, said: “Currently people are using their bare hands to clear the rubble of destroyed buildings away, as they do not want to use machines to clear the damage in case they crush people.
“This is another traumatic event for the people of Syria, who have already suffered through 12 years of conflict,” he added.
Latest reports indicate more than 1,400 people have been killed in the 7.8 magnitude disaster, but this number is expected to rise as rescue efforts continue.
Action for Humanity’s Maryam Ahmed said: “A lot of our staff on the ground are unable to locate their families. A lot of network connection has been lost so even trying to contact families by phone is very difficult.”
The charity is urging the public to give funds, and have set up an emergency donation page via www.actionforhumanity.org.
